Introduction
Most online business models are either too complicated or too saturated to be worth your time. But this one’s different. It doesn’t require a storefront, a warehouse, or even upfront inventory. And if you’ve tried and failed to make money online before, this might just be your second shot.

In this guide, I’ll break down a surprisingly simple dropshipping system using eBay, Walmart (or Amazon), and two powerful automation tools. You’ll learn how to source products, list them in minutes, and automate the entire order fulfillment process—with zero prior experience. If you can follow instructions and are willing to put in the work, this blueprint can get you to revenue in days, not months. After reading this article, if you are interested in going deeper on this business, I will leave a free download link to the full 33-page business plan that goes in depth on how to get this venture off the ground and money into your pockets from start to finish.

The Business Breakdown
At its core, this is retail arbitrage—executed at scale with automation. The model is simple: list products on eBay that are available for less money on supplier sites like Walmart or Amazon. When someone buys your listing, you order it from the supplier and ship it directly to the buyer’s address. No physical handling. No inventory. No risk of buying stock that doesn’t sell.

Here’s what makes this different: instead of manually posting products or managing orders, the system uses automation software to handle nearly everything—listing, repricing, stock syncing, even auto-ordering. Your job is just to find winning products and feed them into the system.

It’s lean, it’s repeatable, and it works. In fact, the creator of this system did over $1M in sales in his first year—and he’s not alone. Multiple students have cleared five or six figures in months using the exact same approach.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Start

Step 1: Create a Business eBay Account

• Go to eBay.com and click “Register”

• Choose “Business account” for access to higher selling limits and more functionality

• Fill out your business info (don’t worry if you’re not incorporated—use your personal info and update it later)

Step 2: Sign Up for AutoDS ($1 Trial)

• Head to AutoDS and start the $1 trial using a promo link

• Connect your eBay store to AutoDS following the guided setup

• This software will:

  • Pull in product info from supplier sites (title, description, images, price)

  • Automatically list and optimize products

  • Monitor price/stock changes

  • Automatically place orders for you when items sell

Step 3: Install Zik Analytics for Product Research

• Sign up for Zik Analytics (another $1 trial via referral link)

• Use the “Trending Dropshippers” tool to scan top-performing eBay stores

• Identify their best-selling items over the past 7, 14, and 30 days

• Don’t copy them—find similar products that serve the same need

Step 4: Source Products from Walmart or Amazon

• Search for a product similar to the bestseller you found

• Compare specs and price

• Prioritize high-reviewed, single-unit, low-cost products with decent shipping speeds

• Save the link—you’ll need it to create the listing in AutoDS

Step 5: List Products with AutoDS

• In AutoDS, click “Add Product”

• Paste in the supplier URL

• Let the software pull in product data and markup pricing

• Optimize the title using AutoDS’s built-in AI tool

• Review images and delete any irrelevant ones

• Click “Save & Import”—your product is now live on eBay

Step 6: Monitor, Optimize, and Repeat

• Feed in more products daily

• Let AutoDS track price/stock

• Use Zik Analytics to continually research new trending products

• Over time, build up a stable of bestsellers that consistently move units

Tools, Resources & Setup Costs

• AutoDS

  • Use - Automates product listings, pricing, stock tracking, and order fulfillment

  • Cost - $1 for 30-day trial, then ~$26/month

• Zik Analytics

  • Use - Finds high-demand, low-competition products by spying on top sellers

  • Cost - $1 for trial, then ~$14.99/month

• eBay Store

  • Use - Marketplace to list your products

  • Cost - Free to start, upgrade later if needed

• Walmart/Amazon

  • use - Supplier platforms

  • cost - Free accounts
    Optional upgrades:

    Canva Pro (for making custom images if needed)

    ChatGPT (for rewriting titles/descriptions)

Revenue Strategy: How You Actually Make Money
You profit on the spread. Here’s an example:

• Find a milk crate on Amazon for $25.50

• List it on eBay for $39.99

• eBay fee (approx. 13%) = ~$5.20

• Amazon sales tax = ~$2.00

• Net profit: ~$7.29

Repeat this process across dozens of listings and you’re building a real income stream. Add auto-ordering and your store runs itself while you focus on sourcing.

Real-World Pitfalls (and How to Avoid Them)

1. Listing In-Demand Items Too Late
   If you only list what others are already selling, you’ll always be competing on price. Use Zik to find what’s trending—then pivot to similar, not identical, items.

2. Forgetting to Monitor Stock
   Manual listing = disaster. If your supplier sells out, you’re stuck. Always use software like AutoDS to auto-sync stock and price changes.

3. Selling Before You're Verified
   eBay sometimes limits new accounts. Start slow, build trust, and scale after positive feedback rolls in.

4. Underpricing
   Factor in all costs: eBay fees, sales tax, potential return shipping. Let AutoDS calculate your profit margins accurately.

5. Getting Overwhelmed Early
   Don’t list 100 products in your first week. Start with 5–10, learn the system, and scale intelligently.

Wrap-Up & Call to Action
This isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme—but it’s one of the fastest and most beginner-friendly ways to earn real money online. With two $1 tools and a clear system, you can go from zero to sales in a matter of days.

If you're serious about building a hands-off side hustle—or even replacing your 9-to-5—this model is one of the smartest plays in 2025.

So go register your eBay account, grab those $1 trials, and get your first product listed today.

This business doesn’t need permission. Just execution.